Auditory disorders and acquisition of the ability to localize sound in children born to HIV-positive mothers

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate children born to HIV-infected mothers and to determine whether such children present auditory disorders or poor acquisition of the ability to localize sound. The population studied included 143 children (82 males and 61 females), ranging in age from one month to 30 months. The children were divided into three groups according to the classification system devised in 1994 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: infected; seroreverted; and exposed. The children were then submitted to audiological evaluation, including behavioral audiometry, visual reinforcement audiometry and measurement of acoustic immittance. Statistical analysis showed that the incidence of auditory disorders was significantly higher in the infected group. In the seroreverted and exposed groups, there was a marked absence of auditory disorders. In the infected group as a whole, the findings were suggestive of central auditory disorders. Evolution of the ability to localize sound was found to be poorer among the children in the infected group than among those in the seroreverted and exposed groups.

Auditory Impairments in HIV-Infected Individuals in Tanzania

“…The fact that the ART groups did not differ in measures of peripheral hearing ability (DPOAEs, thresholds), or in the rate of abnormal tympanograms, but that the ART+ group reported significant more trouble understanding speech and had higher gap detection thresholds point to a reduction in central processing abilities as a cause of the findings. These data are consistent with findings from other studies showing longer ABR latencies in HIV+ adults, and difficulty in localizing sound in infants born to HIV+ mothers (Pagano, Cahn et al 1992; Bankaitis and Keith 1995; Castello, Baroni et al 1998; Matas, Leite et al 2006; Matas, Iorio et al 2008). …”

Hearing Loss in HIV-Infected Children in Lilongwe, Malawi

“…Other studies have reported a higher prevalence of hearing loss among children living with HIV than our estimates [14,17], potentially because the participants in our study were generally healthier, for instance with a low proportion of patients with WHO Stage III/IV. Furthermore, the BCOE is a tertiary health center with more resources than most health centers in Malawi, including equipment for testing hearing (e.g.…”

“…Predominant types of hearing loss in HIV-infected children have varied across studies, with several studies reporting the majority with conductive hearing loss [10,16], as in this study, while others studies reported higher prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss [8,9,15] or central auditory disorders [14]. The high prevalence of conductive hearing loss in this and other studies was likely due to high rates of ear infections, as we saw high rates of middle ear abnormalities, such as perforated tympanic membranes.…”

“…Possible explanations for over-reporting of hearing loss in children with normal audiologic exams may be due to the fluctuating nature of conductive hearing loss, where previous conductive hearing loss has resolved. Additionally, there is likely to be high prevalence of cognitive and developmental delay [24,25] and central auditory processing disorders [14] among these children, and caregivers may therefore have found it difficult to distinguish between these disorders and hearing loss, resulting in higher caregiver report of hearing loss in children with normal audiologic testing. These findings imply that parents are not sufficiently reliable judges to allow the identification and referral of children with hearing loss for services.…”

Prevalência de alterações auditivas em crianças de risco

“…26 The study method included DPOAE testing in two or three steps, and immittance and BAEP tests (see Fig. 1).…”